FORECAST SUMMARY: High pressure will keep it warm and balmy through much of the week. Temps will run 5 to 15 degrees above normal through the week. Expect daily morning fog through Wednesday, courtesy of plentiful moisture and light south winds ahead of a nearly stationary front. A rigorous system will bring a severe weather threat Thursday.

INTO MIDWEEK: Shower chances will linger Tuesday while the stationary boundary remains near. Wednesday will be mostly sunny and dry as moisture diminishes.

SEVERE STORM THREAT THURSDAY: The next disturbance will move in from the Pacific and begin digging over the U.S. Four Corners Tuesday. The system and an associated cold front will bring a severe weather threat over the Arklatex Wednesday, and that threat will move over the WDSU viewing area Thursday. There are still some placement discrepancies between models, so this potential will be monitored through the week.

STORM THREATS: Latest model data indicate the potential for damaging winds, hail, and a few tornadoes. Again, the potential will be monitored through the week.

REST OF THE WEEK/WEEKEND: The aforementioned cold front will pass Friday morning. Rain and storms will taper behind the front as drier air filters in through the day. Temperatures, in the other hand, will cool slightly. But, they’ll remain above normal. The weekend will be dry, with rain chances return early next week as the next system approaches from the southwest.

DRY ACROSS THE STATE: Persistent dryness led to drought expansion and intensification over portions of the Gulf south. Abnormally Dry conditions remain in place over portions of southeast Louisiana as of the Thursday, March 23 release of the Drought Monitor. For more details, click HERE.